Improvement in latches for gates and doors



A. L. BEARDSLEY. LATCHES FOR GATES AND nouns.

N')19Z,966. rmntea'arul 10,1877.

\WITNESSES M INVENTOR" J .fiw

. ,5 MW V ATTORNEY N.PETER$. PHOTO-LITHOGRAPHER, WASIQMTON. D. C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ANSON L. BEARDSLEY, OF FAIRPORT, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN LATCHES FOR GATES AND DOORS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 192,966, dated July 10, 1877; application filed May 19, 1877.

Door Fasteners; and I do hereby declare that p the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the sa1ne,reference being bad to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, and

to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a representation of a fence-gate with my improved latch applied. Fig. 2 is a rear view of the latch and easing detached, and Fig. 3 is an edge view of the same.

This invention has relation to devices for fastening gates and doors; and it consists in the construction and novel arrangement of the concave guard-case, open at the side, and the pear-shaped gravitating-latch, pivoted within the case, and having a broad shelving projecting face extending from the margin of the side opening, as hereinafter shown and described.

The object of this invention is to provide a durable automatic latch which will have a bearing of greater vertical than lateral extent, and a limited, but sufficient, throw. It is composed of two strong castings, to which may be added a spring, to quicken the fall of the swinging latch in light work.

In theaccompanying drawings, the letter A designates the case or sheath, which also acts as a protection for the inclosed latch, and as a guard to prevent it from being raised or disarranged byaccident. In form the case is like a quarter of a pear, and it is concave on its under side, and open laterally, as shown in the drawings, for the reception of the latch B. This sheath is provided with suitable lugs a for the attachment of fastening-screws, and it is notched at b for the passage of the handle of the latch. A perforation or recess, a, is formed in the outer wall of the case for the reception of the journal projection d or pivot of the latch. The latch B is also pear-shaped, consisting of a neck portion, e, and a solid enlarged lower portion or body, having a beveled and rounded face, f,

which shelves outward gradually from the margin of the side opening of the inclosing-case, and is terminated by the plane rear face 9 of the latch.

The swell of the latch is turned in the opposite direction from that of the case, and sufficient play for the latch is provided in the case, so that when it is pressed upon by the edge of the gate, it will recede within the case and allow the gate to pass, after which it will return to its first position, projecting sufficiently to lap over the edge of the gate and hold it securely.

In order to prevent the latch from swinging too far outward, it is provided with a shoulder, k, or stop, designed to abut against a corresponding shoulder or ledge, l, of the case.

A handle, h, is formed on the latch, and projects through the notch b in rear, where it may be easily reached, although out of the way of accident.

Sometimes it may be found advantageous to apply a spring between the latch and the case-wall, as indicated at s. In this construction a recessed seat is usually made in the case-wall for one end of the spring, and a spur provided on the latch to engage with its other end, whereby its bearings are fixed so that it cannot readily get out of order.

I am well aware thata swinging latch is not new; hence I do not broadly claim such invention.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1 The combination, with the concave sheath A, open at the side, of the swinging latch B, swelling out from the margin of the side opening, substantially as specified.

2. The combination, with the notched and concave sheath A, of the swinging latch B, having the handle it and the spring 8, substantially as specified.

In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

ANSON L. BEARDSLEY.

Witnesses S. H. BUSHNELL, Guns. H. Howe. 

